Trump’s next budget once again calls for massive cuts to science

On Friday, the proposed budget for 2027 by the Trump administration was unveiled, revealing significant financial reductions for various scientific agencies. While NASA is set to experience notable cuts, the most severe impacts will affect several other organizations dedicated to scientific research, with no agency left unscathed. This budget blueprint echoes many of the same themes and grievances from last year’s proposal, which Congress largely disregarded in favor of maintaining stable funding for research initiatives. By reintroducing a similar budget plan, the administration is indicating that this conflict will persist, despite Congress’s reluctance to engage. Over the past year, it has become evident that while Congress may not fully support these measures, the administration can still inflict considerable harm on the scientific community. Virtually every agency is set to face budget reductions. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are among the hardest hit, facing budget cuts of nearly 50%. Even the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is managed by allies of the administration, will see a $5 billion decrease from its $47 billion budget. Agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which typically remain apolitical, are also slated for drastic reductions exceeding 50%. These cuts are expected to dismantle significant programs. For instance, the NSF's budget for social science research would be entirely eliminated, while the NIH would lose two vital institutes: the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Furthermore, various agencies are facing budget cuts targeting multiple initiatives, particularly those aimed at addressing climate change impacts. This includes specific reductions at NIST, where the budget proposal claims that funding has been misallocated towards what it describes as a 'radical climate agenda.'